Please before I begin let me say I admire your commitment to your faith, so that you do not think that I am at all questioning your beliefs. I am actually questioning mine.

I am a hairstylist and although we have been taught never to discuss religion or politics I find myself discussing both. My question is that I have clients who are catholic, Christian, Muslim etc. If a person believes and walks with God and Jesus Christ, lives a life where he looks out tries to help his fellow man, and hurts no one. Does it really matter which religion he follows ? Since every religion believes in a "higher power",(God) yet they may have a different name. Is it more important to select a belief in a particular religion or is it more important to go through life as a good human being and placing that belief in your ( higher power) God. Since I deal with so many different people and religious beliefs, how can so many different religions read the same Bible and yet interpret it so differently.

I am sorry but as of yet I have not read the Book of Mormon that is my summer project.

While studying the Epistle of James, young Joseph came across a verse (chapter 1 verse 5) that says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Joseph prayed, and it was revealed to him that the "fullness," the complete gospel of Jesus Christ, was not on the earth at that time. Later, Joseph became a tool in the hands of the Lord to restore the complete gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth once again.

In answer to your second question, there are many good people on earth, following many different religions that all teach some elements of truth. We believe that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ contains the "fullness" of the gospel, or the complete gospel of Jesus Christ.

If we are left to interpret the Bible by ourselves, we will naturally come up with different conclusions and beliefs (which is why there are so many religions). But in these days, our Father in Heaven has not left us alone. He has provided other scriptural records, such as the Book of Mormon, and living prophets to guide us and direct us and to help us know Gods will.

So, yes, I believe it does matter what religious principles we follow. Our Father in Heaven wants us to know his complete gospel not just a portion. He has provided additional scripture and even living prophets to guide us in his paths.

I would encourage you to continue reading the Book of Mormon. As you do so, pray and ask our Father in Heaven if it is true.

In the very last part of the Book of Mormon, within the Book of Moroni, it talks about how to know if the Book of Mormon is true. In Moroni, chapter 10, verses 4 and 5, it says: "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Continue to read and study, and pray sincerely. If you do so, you will know in your heart that these things are true.

Sincerely,

Donny Osmond


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